Just thought I'd post a couple funny things Julia has started saying.

When she's about to tell me something important or tell me a story she says, "Ok, here's the deal!" Lol....it cracks me up, mostly because I know it comes from me!

She has also started saying, "go for it!" A lot lately too! Which is also all me!

Off we go:)

All about JuNo:)

So I keep a pretty good journal on all the things Julia is learning and what her favorite activities are at certain stages. Its actually pretty awesome to see the improvement in such short time frames. Working with her every night and showing her little educational videos instead of letting her watch just random TV has definitely paid off in her learning progression. After she turned two I started letting her venture out and watch some of the little disney or nick jr shows and even with that I am pretty cautious to how much and what she's watching. Its funny, where other kids we know were throwing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Dora parties at One Year or Two Years, she is just now starting to like and watch those shows. Not too say that anything is wrong with those shows, as I am finding they can definitely be helpful in her learning as well. She just never really watched them until now. Her favorite show for awhile now has been Yo Gabba Gabba, which at first I was not too excited about, the characters are a little strange but I am getting used to it and am discovering that the reason she likes this particular show so much is because it is jam-packed with music, dancing and singing and even at this young age she is showing such a passion for those things. She like to make her daily activities in to a little song. Anything from what she did at her babysitters house to the process of how she washes her hands...lol! She loves to dance and pretend she's doing "ballet" and "gymnastics", I am excited to start her in a little tumbling class when she turns 3:) Her papa just bought her her first little girls keyboard and she is in heaven trying to play it and she loves to strum papa's guitar when he's playing!

I am absolutely impressed by her ability to catch onto things so quickly. She has known her ABC's for awhile now and recognizes all the letters in and out of order. She recognizes her name when I write it without me saying anything. She is actually attempting to write her letters now, she can do a v and an i so far. She remembers which objects start with what letters like, A is for Apple, E is for Elephant, etc. She has got her colors down. Her favorites seem to be pink and green. She can recite 1-12 and recognizes 1-10 when its shown to her. She knows a few of her shapes now; square, circle, triangle and star. I could go on and on with all the things she's learning, its nuts!

Raising Julia as a single parent has definitely not been easy but I honestly feel like its given me more of a drive to make sure Julia never feels as though she's missed out on anything and that educationally she is on track and given that quality time every toddler needs to feel loved, secure, and cared for. I feel as though I am stretched so thin at times, but God continues to give me that strength and patience I need to provide for Julia in all areas of her life. Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy on us!!

Cupcake decorating:)

Enjoying her creation!

Busy Bee's

So we have been busy little bee's since Easter. To recap, we had a wonderful Easter at my aunts house. We colored and decorated eggs, did a mini egg hunt in my aunts backyard and had some awesome food and fellowship with our family. I absolutely love when my little girl gets to play with her cousins and family:) The day after Easter I got some not so wonderful news from my ex-husband and have been totally just giving it to the Lord and trying to be postive. Its been an emotional time for me and I am just so blessed by all the love and encouragement we have received from our close family and friends. Robert has decided to move out of the state and did so in a totally irresponsible and inconsiderate manner. The very small glimmer of bonding that I had started to see between them will now for sure diminish. In the end I have come to realize that it might be better for both Julia and I this way. As much as my desire was for Robert to at least build a healthy relationship with Julia, that has not happened up to this point and I cant help but get upset and stressed out everytime I notice Julia's confusion on who Robert is and what exactly his role is in her life. Right now I just pray for the discernment and wisdom to address any questions Julia might have about him in the future. Besides dealing with that news we have had a great couple of weeks. BBQ's with friends, the weather has been great so we've had a lot of park trips and kite flying. Yesterday was Mothers Day and it was great to just relax and pretty much do nothing but spend some quiet time with my little girlie:) We went to church and heard a wonderful mothers day message and then went and had a yummy breakfast with my parents and then just lounged around the house the rest of the day, besides an exciting trip to Sams Club where we bought Julia's 1st Trampoline, this girl loves to jump! I know its a ways off, but I have actually started to put together ideas for Julia's 3rd Birthday party. We are planning on doing it in November this year, as the weather in December is just way too unperdictable and I am shooting to have it a local park. So if everything falls into place it will be November 12th, so we are roughly six months away, which in my organized mind isnt that far off...lol! I want to do a pretty good sized party this year since she is getting a little older. For her first birthday it was a small and intimate party at my house and for her second birthday I took her to Disneyland and we just did a small cake at home with my family. I think its time to do something exciting for her:) Stay tuned for more details on "Julia's Dancey Dance Party!" (Lets see if any of you parents know where that's from)

My awesome friend Sara made this dress for Julia! She is starting her own kids clothing line!

Half price frappuccino Friday:)

Mothers Day 2011

First Kite Flying!